Midday Report for Thursday 18 February 2016

12:35 PM.News from the rural and farming sectors. Audio

12:26 PM.Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle has been ruled out of the second cricket Test in Christchurch with back pain. Audio

12:25 PM.Job advertisements have started the year on the back-foot. Audio

12:23 PM.For the latest from the markets we're joined by Brad Gordon at Macquarie Private Wealth. Audio

12:22 PM.And it's been a mixed bag of results from other companies reporting their first half earnings today. Audio

12:21 PM.The resins manufacturer, Nuplex, has reported a weaker first half profit, because of the loss of revenue and one-off costs from closing businesses. Audio

12:19 PM.The country's biggest export port - the Port of Tauranga - has reported a lower first half profit with cargo volumes largely flat. Audio

12:17 PM.The telecommunications company, Spark, has reported an improved first half profit after a lift in mobile revenue and a fall in costs. Audio

12:00 PM.A murder charge over the death of a four-year-old Onehunga girl and the Justice Minsiter stays quiet on a report about David Bain's compensation claim. Audio